We're on Vacation

Okay, so maybe it's more like a staycation--at least for now. Ian finished the Spring semester and also registered for his very LAST SEMESTER! Hooray!

Anyway, check out the good things coming to a blogpost near you...

Project

So my sister shared this catchy little rhyme with me and it's been on my mind a lot latley. It could be because it's really catchy or maybe because it really applies to me.

Use it up, wear it out, do with it, or do without!

Weather or not a person is affluent, I think it's a great maxim to live by. If more people followed it, then there would be a lot less waste in our world, and thereby a lot less want. So, here's is my first project in line with this way of thinking. I have a few more ideas in mind, but those are a little further off. If/when they are accomplished I'll be sure to share them too.

This little beauty is called a tag blanket. Have you ever noticed how interested in tags babies are? I never did...until my little Holly came along. I had seen these before but never really felt like I would need or want one. Well, Holly loves to play with tags, so this was the perfect gift for her! Would you like to see what I used to make it?

These pieces of fabric were just laying around my house begging to be made over into something new. I'm pretty sure the ribbon came from a gift I was given a while back. The best part? Even with my limited sewing experience the makeover was a success! Wanna know what I learned from the project?

1. The lady on the craft blog wasn't lying when she said this fabric might be hard to work with because it stretches.
   
2. A first try is just that...a try! Nobody should expect it to be perfect, so neither should I! Also, it shouldn't keep someone from trying again.
   
3. Just because something isn't perfect doesn't mean it isn't good.

That last lesson was taught to me by Holly. Wanna see what she thought of her gift? Of course you do! She's too adorable to say no!

Also, I wanted to give an update on Ian's watercolor project. It's FINSIHED! So, I was pretty impressed. Here is is in all it's watercolor glory!

And for added fun, here's a video of Holly laughing! I was just hitting the couch coushions. It sounds kind of scary and loud, but her laughter tells us otherwise!

Singing Time!

As many of you know, Atley started going to nursery at church almost 2 months ago. Getting him started wasn't terribly hard. He missed his Mommy and Daddy a little, but now we've got him to the stage where he goes and stays, but he is still really shy.

That being said, the following video has three purposes:

1. To show the world that when Atley is inside our home he isn't as shy as he is outside our home.
2. To show his teachers in nursery that he is learning from them.
3. Because it is so darn cute! We took it today and I put in on my priority to do list for the blog. Nothing better than fresh, hot from the camera, Atley videos! Okay, maybe Holly videos are up there too!
   

A couple more notes, just so we cover all our bases. Atley is sick. He's had a fever today so it's really a miracle that he was playing with me at all. Also, that's why he's in a diaper (that is for you Maria!) Lastly, I recommend that you watch the video at least twice. The first time, watch Atley and I play (that's the purpose of this post after all.) The second time, check out the bottom left hand corner and you'll see a cute little face pop in and out!

Summer Fun!

Summer is here! It's official and even the Rexburg weather knows it! So, of course, we spent today doing very summery things.

First we went to story time at the Library. It's something I remember doing as a child and loving. Today's stories were all about construction because our library is working on an addition to the building. We sang songs about construction and even made our own construction hats. They looked less like construction hats and more like Napoleon or Peter Pan hats (depending on how you wore them). Atley wasn't much for the hat and he was a little concerned about the stamp on his hand, but he did get a bon bon (candy) at the end, so he was happy.

Next, after story time, we were off to the park for lunch. Rexburg has a pretty cool program where they give kids 1-18 free lunch. Atley doesn't always like what they're serving and often times it is the wrong temperature (hot foods are mostly too cold), but it's a great way for me to try new foods with him. Plus, who doesn't love a picnic in the park? Today he had a PB&J sandwich, chips, and milk. The lunch also included some carrots, celery, an orange, and a cookie, all of which he wasn't interested in.

Now is the really fun part of our day. We spent time playing in the splash park. It was probably the most fun for me because Atley was so happy (even when he was shivering) and because we took pictures!

Holly was our little Queen today. She pretty much just sat in the shade drinking a bottle. But, whatever makes her happy is OK with me!

So adorable!

At first, Atley was skeptical of the water. He wanted to play, I'm sure of that. I think he just wanted to be sure he had permission or something.

He began to warm up by playing in the puddles.

Then he got brave enough to touch it!

Then a little too brave--he and the water learned a little respect for each other (see video below).

Then he found a water spout that was just his size. Once the boundaries were established, they got along famously!

Atley sure loves the water. Ian and I have always called him a water baby. Holly on the other hand hates to even get in the bath. We're hoping she grows out of it so when she's a little bigger they can play together.

That's our summer day. We're excited for a lot more to follow! I hope you're all out making the most of the beautiful weather!

Art, Sitting, and Brotherly Love!

Ian and I were able to enjoy a date this week. We went up to the school and Ian taught me what he's been learning in his art class--WATERCOLOR! You remember in elementary school when they gave you the little watercolor palette and you went to town with those wiry bristled brushes that didn't do much in the way of art? Well, this was kind of similar, except the brushes were higher quality and my teacher seemed to have a lot more knowledge of watercolor than my elementary school art teacher (and much better looking, too!) Anyway, here are the pictures!

Ian was taking the pictures this time. I think he wanted proof that I can do art (with guidance of course!)

My beach scene (in case you couldn't tell).

This is what Ian is working on for class. It's a very detailed photo with A LOT of flowers!

Our setup.

This picture is a pastel drawing that Ian did earlier for class. Lots of shadows. Cool, huh?

In other news, Holly is learning to sit! She's come quite far in the past couple of days--enough to share for sure!

Atley and Holly really love each other. I know I've said that before, but it's always surprising to me how much Atley wants to be involved in what Holly is learning. Here's a couple videos to show you what I mean.


Atley loves to make Holly laugh and this was a pretty good example during Family Home Evening this week.
Also, what blog post about a baby is complete without a video of something adults find so cute in babies and super weird with Adults? Babies are so good at being cute...and weird. Don't try this at home!